Aboard the Papal Airplane (CNN) - Pope Francis said Monday that he will not "judge" gays and lesbians, including gay priests, signaling a shift from his predecessor and offering another sign that the new pope is committed to changing the church's approach to historically marginalized groups.

“If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” Francis said in a wide-ranging news conference aboard the papal plane.

Though he was answering a question about the so-called "gay lobby" at the Vatican, the pope indicated a change in tone, if not in teaching, in the church's stance towards gays and lesbians more generally.

The pope was flying back to Rome from Brazil, where he spent the past week celebrating World Youth Day, an international Catholic event that drew millions.

Taking questions from reporters aboard the plane, the pope addressed nearly every hot-button issue facing the Roman Catholic Church: its alleged "gay lobby," Vatican bank corruption, the role of women, abortion, homosexuality and his own personal security.

But it was the pope's remarks on homosexuality - the fact that the head of a 1 billion-member church said that it's not his place to judge gays - that caused the widest stir.

"Pope Francis's brief comment on gays reveals great mercy," said the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and editor at America, a Catholic magazine based in New York.

The pontiff spoke for an hour and a half in the back of the plane that was carrying him back to Italy after his first international trip as pope to Brazil, where he was greeted by massive, frenzied crowds at every turn.

"I'm happy. It has been a beautiful trip, spiritually speaking; it has been good to me. I'm tired enough but with a heart full of joy," he said.

Here are the highlights from his press conference.

On the 'gay lobby' and homosexuality

The pope addressed the issue of an alleged "gay lobby" within the church. Hints that the Holy See contained a network of gay clergy surfaced last year in reports about a series of embarrassing leaks to Italian journalists.

The "Vatileaks" scandal factored in Benedict's shocking decision to resign this year, according to some church experts, as it impressed upon the 86-year-old pontiff that the modern papacy requires a vigorous and watchful presence.

"There's a lot of talk about the gay lobby, but I've never seen it on the Vatican ID card!" Francis said.

"When I meet a gay person, I have to distinguish between their being gay and being part of a lobby. If they accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge them? They shouldn't be marginalized. The tendency (to homosexuality) is not the problem ... they're our brothers."

The problem, he said was, lobbies that work against the interest of the church.

In 2005, during the papacy of Pope Benedict XVI, the Vatican issued directives barring from the priesthood men "who are actively homosexual, have deep-seated homosexual tendencies, or support the so-called 'gay culture.'"

Francis' brief remarks seem to signal a sharp shift from that policy.

On women

The pope also spoke out about the role of women in the church, saying it needs to be deeper and not end. But he brushed aside the possibility of ordaining women as priests, saying the church had spoken on the matter: "The church says no. That door is closed." He did say that more work needed to be done theologically on the role of women in the church.

On abortion

Pope watchers have noted that Francis said little to nothing about abortion on his trip to Brazil. Abortion is illegal in Brazil, except for cases in which the health of the mother is at risk. Laws were recently changed to allow abortions in cases in which the child would be born with certain life-threatening birth defects.

The pope said he had nothing to say on the trip about abortion because the church teachings against it were clear and this trip was the time for "positive" news.

On divorce

"I believe this is a time of mercy, a change of epoch," the pope said when asked about divorce. He said the group of eight cardinals tasked with reform will explore the issue of whether divorcees can receive Communion, which they are currently barred from doing.

On the Vatican Bank

The pope conceded he was unsure what to do with the Vatican Bank, which is known by its acronym IOR.

"Some say that it would be better if it were a bank, others say that it should be a foundation. Other say to shut it down. These are the suggestions going around. I don't know. I trust the commission's members that are working on the IOR. But I wouldn't be able to tell you how this story is going to end."

And as for what was in the black leather bag he carried onto the plane? A razor, a prayer book, a diary and a book about St. Theresa, but, the pope joked, "Certainly not the keys to the atomic bomb!"

He said he carried his own bags because, "It's normal, we have to be normal. We have to be accustomed to being normal."

(2 Timothy 3:16) 16 All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness. . .

February 7, 2014 at 10:09 pm |

Observer

Timothy (I Tim. 2:12) also includes nonsense like “I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent.”

So what is your point?

February 7, 2014 at 10:17 pm |

Truth

In true Christianity sisters understand the principle of headship and that they are not suppose to teach in a congregation setting unless there are no men to take the lead. But most other avenues of preaching and teaching in non-congregation settings is acceptable (Psalms 68:11) Without the support of millions of sisters in the door to door ministry, and home bible teaching program it would be difficult to preach the Good News of the Kingdom threw out the entire inhabited earth. Matthew 24:14 Women are also free to comment at Christian meeting but just not in a role of a leader which is consistent with scripture.

February 7, 2014 at 10:43 pm |

Observer

Truth,

So apparently you support this example of discrimination against women, who supposedly need smarter men to tell them what they are ignorant about.

It is, of course, a real JOKE since the person with the highest IQ in the world is a woman.

February 7, 2014 at 10:49 pm |

Truth

God's word tells us that it has to do with emotional makeup rather than IQ as to why headship is the way it is.
(1 Timothy 2:14) . . .Adam was not deceived, but the woman was thoroughly deceived and came to be in transgression. . .
(1 Corinthians 11:3) . . .But I want YOU to know that the head of every man is the Christ; in turn the head of a woman is the man; in turn the head of the Christ is God. . .

February 7, 2014 at 11:12 pm |

Observer

Truth

"God's word tells us that it has to do with emotional makeup rather than IQ as to why headship is the way it is."

How incredibly CHAUVINISTIC of you. The woman with the highest IQ could run circles around both of us and you are actually ignorant enough to think that she would let emotion run her rather than her vastly superior INTELLIGENCE.

Get serious.

February 7, 2014 at 11:20 pm |

Truth

Friend I have been married to a very intelligent woman for a very long time but at certain time she thinks with her heart and not with her head just as all women do.

February 7, 2014 at 11:25 pm |

Observer

Truth,

Some women are content to be inferior. That's fine for you, but not good for a lot of very intelligent women who enjoy thinking for themselves. Why should they be subservient to a lesser intelligent male?

February 7, 2014 at 11:31 pm |

Truth

If Adam and Eve would have followed the rules governing headship the world would be a different place.

February 7, 2014 at 11:34 pm |

Observer

Truth,

Of course. Eve did listen to a TALKING SERPENT that knew the language she spoke. It's no wonder she was punished for trying to get information from the tree of KNOWLEDGE.

Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” – John 2:4, NKJV (was Christ being disrespectful in calling His mother "woman" ? Absolutely not. As her creator, (as he is everyone's creator) He was making it known to her His deity. She understood implicitly that it was the Lord was speaking to her and thus she took no offense. She might have had she not been spiritual. Only those who are spiritual can discern these things and it is no wonder people like observ3r cannot understand God's ways or His will. Sadly they are spiritually dead.

May 20, 2014 at 4:02 pm |

observer

awanderingscot,

Is "spiritually dead" like when you tell lies about me and ignore the Ten Commandment about "false witness"?

Is "spiritually dead" like when you pick negative verses about gays when Jesus preached the Golden Rule?

“If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” Francis said in a wide-ranging news conference aboard the papal plane

His watchmen are blind, they are all ignorant; they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. – Isaiah 56:10

May 24, 2014 at 9:29 am |

observer

awanderingscot,

The pope seems to by trying to follow the Golden Rule. In your case, you are just a HYPOCRITE.

May 28, 2014 at 7:22 am |

Truth

How unfortunate that the Pope doesn't realize that the conduct of man has already been judged by God. Our conduct is either accepted or rejected by the bible so we don't have to judge conduct because it has been done by the One who defines righteousness. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:10; Romans 1:27; Hebrews 13:4

'True Christianity' does not conform to the desires of the people but holds God's righteous standards on high and abides by them. 1 John 5:3; 2 John 1:6; 1 Corinthians 5:13

February 1, 2014 at 4:53 am |

Real Truth

Problem is, Christian god obviously doesn't exist.

February 7, 2014 at 7:38 pm |

Truth

There are many bible prophecies that are being fulfilled in our day that say otherwise and how can any reasonable person deny the magnificent blueprint of everything we see (it didn't all happen by chance).

(Romans 1:20) . . .For his invisible [qualities] are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable. . .

February 7, 2014 at 8:48 pm |

In Santa we trust

What prophesy – specifics please, what will happen and when exactly?

February 7, 2014 at 10:26 pm |

Truth

Specifically Matthew 24:14 (Matthew 24:36) and Micah 4:2
The Good New about the Kingdom of God is being preach in over 235 lands and hundreds of languages

Many people are learning the truth about God and dedicating their lives to the God of all comfort.

February 7, 2014 at 10:54 pm |

Observer

Truth,

God's "righteous" standards are often IMMORAL by good people today. Read the rest of the Bible.

February 7, 2014 at 7:41 pm |

Truth

Those who follow God faithfully don't use the fact that we are imperfect to repeatedly commit sin.

(Jude 4) . . .certain men have slipped in who have long ago been appointed by the Scriptures to this judgment, ungodly men, turning the undeserved kindness of our God into an excuse for loose conduct . . .

February 7, 2014 at 8:43 pm |

Observer

Truth,

Do you CHOOSE the negative verses about gays to repeat or do you CHOOSE the MORE IMPORTANT Golden Rule in dealing with gays?

February 7, 2014 at 10:08 pm |

Truth

Out of love God warns us about our conduct and what will happen if we do and don't follow his loving direction. We all have to deny ourselves the things that we may be most passionate about if they are in conflict with his will.

(John 3:16) . . .“For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life. . .

When talking about gays, do you CHOOSE to quote the negative passages from the Bible or do you CHOOSE to quote the MORE IMPORTANT Golden Rule?

February 7, 2014 at 10:32 pm |

Truth

We present God's message. We don't bash or hate any person and are willing to help anyone but at the same time we have the commission to tell people what God is going to do. We don't have the ability to judge hearts but He has defined conduct that will be blessed or judged.

February 7, 2014 at 11:03 pm |

Observer

Truth

"We present God's message"

So is "God's message" the negative verses in the Bible or the Golden Rule?

You still haven't answered my question after 2 or 3 times.

February 7, 2014 at 11:07 pm |

Truth

I think the scriptures actually answered your question.

February 7, 2014 at 11:14 pm |

Truth

I think the scriptures answered that for you.

February 7, 2014 at 11:18 pm |

Truth

Would it be a loving thing for your doctor to only tell you the good things about your health or would it be just as important to tell you if you had a life threatening condition as well?

February 7, 2014 at 11:21 pm |

Observer

Truth,

Amazing. After asking so many times, you are still STUMPED.

I asked what YOU do. You are actually telling me you can't even answer a question about what YOU DO.

And you might wonder why so many non-believers have so little use for the credibility of many Christians!

February 7, 2014 at 11:25 pm |

Truth

Friend I follow the example of Jesus Christ who told of his Father's blessing and his judgments. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

February 7, 2014 at 11:32 pm |

Observer

Truth

"Friend I follow the example of Jesus Christ who told of his Father's blessing and his judgments."

Jesus repeatedly said how important the Golden Rule is.

What did he say about gays?

So do you ACTUALLY "follow the example of Jesus Christ" when it comes to gays? APPARENTLY NOT.

"You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it". – John 8:44, NKJV – our Lord Jesus Christ speaking to the unbelieving Jews who mistakenly thought because the were physical descendants of Abraham, that they were children of God. Jesus Christ is perfect in His love.

"For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;" – Romans 1:26-28, NKJV

May 9, 2014 at 10:16 pm |

observer

awanderingscot,

Romans also says to feed your enemies.

How many pounds of food have you sent to enemies like al Qaeda or do you just HYPOCRITICALLY PICK and CHOOSE from the Bible.

Observer stated "Why should they be subservient to a lesser intelligent male?" speaking of women. BECAUSE GOD SAID SO, that's why. Have you confronted Him about this Observer? It's His arrangement and the role He has assigned to her, who are you to question Him? Why are you here attacking Christians and God's word the Bible? His arrangement in no way shape or form diminishes the woman or makes her inferior to the man, it's the role God has assigned to her just as the man has his role. You have no spiritual discernment and you don't know scripture so why do you even bring these subjects up? It is because you hate Christians?

May 11, 2014 at 10:30 pm |

observer

awanderingscot

"Why are you here attacking Christians and God's word the Bible?"

I'm not "attacking" all Christians, just the ones who are HYPOCRITES. I tell them what the Bible actually says and they don't like it and get upset. They'd rather use it as an excuse to HYPOCRITICALLY attack gays, non-believers, pro-choice supporters, etc.

The person with the highest IQ in the world is a woman. She could run circles around you and me intellectually. Now tell me she should not teach YOU and other men and I will try hard NOT to laugh. Get real.

so basically what you are saying is that you have been appointed by God, whom you also don't believe in, to judge Christians here, am i correct? Oh wait, but only the morals you think are right and discarding the ones our Creator gave right?

May 14, 2014 at 2:07 pm |

observer

awanderingscot

"so basically what you are saying is that you have been appointed by God, whom you also don't believe in, to judge Christians here, am i correct?"

Once again, you are WRONG, but at least you are CONSISTENTLY WRONG.

I report what the Bible ACTUALLY SAYS and you don't like it so you HYPOCRITICALLY attack the messenger in total opposition to what Jesus would do. It's not my fault that you know so little about the Bible.

New commandment that you apparently aren't familiar with: Do not bear false witness. Please START following it.

His watchmen are blind, They are all ignorant; They are all dumb dogs, They cannot bark; Sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yes, they are greedy dogs Which never have enough. And they are shepherds Who cannot understand; They all look to their own way, Every one for his own gain, From his own territory. "Come," one says, "I will bring wine, And we will fill ourselves with intoxicating drink; Tomorrow will be as today, And much more abundant." – Isaiah 56:10-12

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January 6, 2014 at 3:39 pm |

Ol' Yeller

Okay Quickdraw...
Do you support that the earth is the center of the universe and the sun revolves around it?
Do you support that while women are on their menstrual cycle they should be banished to the wilderness?
Do you support laws to ostracize and condemn eaters of shrimp, crab, crayfish, etc...?
Do you support laws to ostracize and condemn men who shave?

BTW- Go Pope Francis- you rock. Judge not, though ye be judged. It is NOT his job to judge gays according to your Bible (which you support wholeheartedly) that is only for your God to decide.

October 17, 2013 at 2:10 pm |

Reality

Scripture taken out of context becomes the pretext for whatever you want to say.

October 17, 2013 at 6:28 pm |

Ken Swanson

Pope Francis –
Do you read the Bible? Are you supposed to teach from the Bible?

October 17, 2013 at 12:23 pm |

Doris

What makes you think he doesn't? Could it be, somewhere among the over 40,000 sects of Christianity, that you are surprised his interpretation of something is different than yours?

This pope is being economical with the truth on the gay issue. The bible's view on being gay is clear and unambiguous and we actually dont need his holiness to tell us what he already know. He is probably thinking and talking as expected, a political leadership requires political/diplomatic statements that are usually half truths.

October 13, 2013 at 4:04 pm |

Jen

The Pope must judge when someone is breaking Gods laws, he is the head of the Catholic church

October 14, 2013 at 3:17 pm |

Observer

Jen,

Skip the hypocrisy. There's virtually ZERO CHANCE that you believe and support everything in the Bible.

October 14, 2013 at 3:21 pm |

Jen

God does not makes excuses for debauchery remember that, you will pay for it in one way or another, remember that

December 25, 2013 at 3:27 pm |

Jen

Why shouldn't i believe everything in the bible?Especially since Sodom and Gomorrah has been found in 1992, Noahs Ark, and the list goes on, of course i believe i am a Christian

December 25, 2013 at 3:51 pm |

Observer

Jen,

Obviously, the ark hasn't been found.

By the way, the SIN of Sodom wasn't being gay, but being GREEDY.

You shouldn't believe EVERYTHING in the Bible unless you support slavery and discrimination against women.

I personally believe that a child can be corrected whilst using the rod as a form of discipline, and trust me it does work. As to whether the Pope should sanction slavery, I would refer you to http://pleaseconvinceme.com/2012/what-god-says-about-slavery. There is no doubt that the Bible has answer to every human question and with the help of the Holy Spirit, understanding God isn't as confusing as it appears.

October 14, 2013 at 4:14 pm |

Observer

saintmaxwell,

There's no question but that the Bible sanctions slavery. Beating children may be fine for you, but many decent people consider it to be immoral and illegal.

Why not skip the hypocrisy? There's ZILCH chance you support everything in the Bible.

October 14, 2013 at 4:19 pm |

QuickDraw

Observer, I support EVERYTHING in the Bible, EVERYTHING. The rod, turning the other cheek, go on ask of anything else that in your limited human 'wisdom' you consider repugnant and I will show you the wisdom of God from His word ..

"To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” – John 10:3-5, NKJV ("he calls his own sheep by name", these others are not His sheep. "they will by no means follow a stranger", we will never follow a hireling such as this pope. Jesus Christ is our high priest, not the pope.

May 9, 2014 at 4:32 pm |

Ol' Yeller

@saintmaxwell- Maybe you can help me then since you seem to be so smart and know exactly what the Bible says... I have a neighbor who is gay. He is a great guy, a wonderful neighbor, very trustworthy, and would give anyone the shirt off his back. He also attends Church every Sunday and Wednesday, is in the choir, helps with the youth groups, and visits the elderly. The problem being, since he is my neighbor, should I love him like the Bible says, or since, as you state, "The bible's view on being gay is clear and unambiguous and we actually dont need his holiness to tell us what he already know."; should I kill him now and if so, how?
Also, since you didn't capitalize His Holiness, and the Bible, how can I go about meeting and killing you, since you are obviously a heretic and a blasphemer and the Bible's view on being a heretic and blasphemer is clear and unambiguous and we actually dont need His Holiness to tell us what we already know.
(This is satire and I don't really want to meet up with saintmaxwell and kill him- just wanting to point out what a charlatan and judgeMENTAL a$$ hole he really is).

October 17, 2013 at 2:36 pm |

Jen

All i can say is this, if it were Armagedon, i have not sinned, and if i have i have repeneted, out of true remorse, and if God were to say to me Has mankind twisted my laws around to suit himself?I would have to be truthful, and say Yes Father in Heaven, he has

The fact that your neighbor attends church or is "in the choir, helps with the youth groups, and visits the elderly" does not means he can as well be gay, neither does he needs to be killed. Being gay is not natural and is a sin in the eyes of God (Romans 1:26-27 KJV). Your friend needs help from God not judgement from any man (including me) and he can get that help from God through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit but he must accept that being gay is not natural and not try to justify it. It begins from there. If God wanted men to sleep with men, don't you think He would have created two men in the garden of Eden instead of a man and woman? Mankind is always looking for ways to justify their lustful inclinations and liberty.

October 17, 2013 at 6:01 pm |

Mike

Absolute garbage. God doesn't judge gays and guess what...the bible is wrong! Do I burn in hell now or later? God loves that gay person just as much as anyone.

October 18, 2013 at 11:51 am |

Jen

God does judge, that's why He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah and also sent the great floods

you foolishly defy God since these are God's laws that are being pointed out, take it to a higher authority you self-righteous Pharisee.

May 9, 2014 at 4:41 pm |

observer

awanderingscot,

Judging others and name-calling.

Well done. Just like Jesus told you to do, right?

May 9, 2014 at 10:15 pm |

Seán

The bible was written by men who had feet of clay. It is only to be expected that its contents reflect the mistaken beliefs of his followers while, at the same time, telling the story of the last three years of his life on earth. Infallibility of popes is an invention of the higher up officers of the RC Church and has absolutely not been granted in any of the teachings of Christ.

October 17, 2013 at 5:45 pm |

Sanity

The Pope still hates Sin/s but is reinvigorating and or reigniting the Love of the Whole Person despite the sins, we must have compassion for conversion, it isn't an either/or. “Progress should mean that we are always changing the world to fit the vision, instead we are always changing the vision.” – Orthodoxy, 1908

October 12, 2013 at 12:09 pm |

Kate

The Roman Catholic Church and I was raised in it – schools and all – does not look anything like what Jesus' ministry did when He walked the earth. I hope this pope does not think he IS Jesus. But I think they are counting on his speech to gloss things over. You can't argue with a peaceful person who loves everyone. And what he said was in his black bag is such crock. A book of St Teresa. my eye. Probably some money in check form being taken to Brazil.

October 12, 2013 at 4:45 am |

Sanity

I'm praying for you Kate, you are probably very hurt and are harboring guilt. Either way, remember if the Pope has no option of any infallibility then do you? “Progress should mean that we are always changing the world to fit the vision, instead we are always changing the vision.” – Orthodoxy, 1908

October 12, 2013 at 12:11 pm |

Chris

Who am I to judge "GAYS", this Pope is a joke and a fake to Christ who will pay for his crimes one day.

October 11, 2013 at 6:38 pm |

LeRoy_Was_Here

Judge not, lest ye be judged.

October 11, 2013 at 6:42 pm |

Sanity

why don't you establish who the Magisterium is before using a text to teach people. Blessings

October 12, 2013 at 12:20 pm |

Sanity

Hey Chris, is that infallible from you or partially or what? Let us know how you escape the duty and responsibility of having a Magisterium and how you defend your truth telling with out implicitly taking it's place. There's no way around it bud, we should never throw out the baby with the bathwater, and that is what happened with the "Reformation". Come home to the RCC, (remember, words don't have to be explicitly stated in the Bible (if we agree on the right bible) to be true, for this would be self refuting, in that the Bible doesn't tell us that the Bible will be here as it is) Blessings to/thru you

Hello Sanity. I just want you to know Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, just one of His blessed attributes, that of immutability. We can be assured that what He has said will come to pass and His will will be done.
“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. – Isaiah 55:10-11, NKJV

We do not add to scripture as did the Pharisees of old. Christ warned us to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and He was speaking as much to us as to His disciples then knowing full well what would happen in 70AD. He also restated what He had told the prophet Isaiah, These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.

Unfortunately the RCC has added much in the way of worship and ceremony that can be found nowhere in scripture. This is the yeast of the Pharisees. There is no priest on earth who can plead to the Father for us, only the Lord Jesus Christ can do this. – peace to you.

"These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
and honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
and in vain they worship Me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ” Matthew 15:8-9, NKJV

Christ quoting Isaiah and the prophesy He gave then concerning those who would supplant His word with the commandments of men. This is the leaven seen in the church today, and not just the RCC.

May 12, 2014 at 3:22 pm |

Rev Dr Felix Nwosu

Thank you sir. But what is bad is bad and what is good is good with respect sir i am not comfortable with this statement. it looks as if the church is shying away from it's responsibility and is unlikable by righteousness around the world.shalom.

October 11, 2013 at 12:38 pm |

LeRoy_Was_Here

Maybe someday you will grow up and realize that gay people are really not all that much different from, say, left-handed people.

For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting – Romans 1:26-28, NKJV

May 11, 2014 at 12:13 pm |

observer

awanderingscot,

Romans (12:20) also says “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.”

Do you do that and believe and practice EVERYTHING that Romans says or are you just another pick-and-choose Christian HYPOCRITE?

The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.